The Asian Pacific Engineering & Construction Services (APECS) company in Malaeimi has declined to comment on whether their company is the owner of the crane involved in the unfortunate electrocution accident which has claimed the lives of two employees of the Manu’a Store.
After unsuccessful attempts to obtain comment from the company by phone, KHJ News visited their premises at Malaeimi,
A secretary said their boss has been off island whom she declined to identify.
She did not know when the boss will be back on island.
Asked if she could confirm that the crane involved in the electrocution accident over the weekend was theirs, the secretary said that she was not authorized to give out information.
She indicated that the company is in the process of retaining a lawyer.
A Filipino employee who was outside the office was asked of the whereabouts of the crane operator on Saturday and we were told that the operator was at the premises but has been sick.
There are allegations that the crane operator was without a license.
Manu’a Store management has confirmed that the crane belonged to APECS.
APECS is registered as a construction company managed by Recto Ibanez.
The company representative told KHJ News that they are not sure when their boss will be back.
The crane which was lifting beams at the Manu’a Store compound is shown in photos taken by a resident who was across the road, touching overhead power lines.
Six men were electrocuted. Two, Iosefa Elia and Saito Paulo, have died while one remains in critical condition in the Intensive Care Unit.
